Spike in GHB overdoses prompts Vic warning

A STRONG batch of the party drug GHB may be responsible for a recent spike in overdoses in Melbourne with a hospital warning the trend could claim lives.

About 20 patients suffering GHB overdoses have presented at the emergency department of Melbourne's St Vincent's Hospital over the last three weeks, said emergency department physician Dr Jonathan Karro.

The hospital, which would typically see one or two GHB overdoses a week, recently received nine cases in one weekend, five of whom were in a critical condition and required life support.

Dr Karro said the patients were usually aged between 16 and 25, presenting at hospital following a night of partying, between 4am and 8am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Issuing a public health warning about the drug on Friday, Dr Karro said the recent spike was of great concern.

The drug had claimed at least 10 Australian lives over the past few years, he said.

"There might be a batch on the street which is particularly strong," Dr Karro told reporters.

"Like most drugs it's impossible to tell exactly what you're getting; it might be something to do with that.

"If we could save one life by giving a public health message, it would be a message well worth giving."

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid, commonly referred to as GBH or fantasy, is a depressant with sedative and anaesthetic effects which can quickly put users into a comatose state.

Dr Karro said the colourless, odourless drug was consumed in liquid form and usually packaged in the fish-shaped soy sauce containers found in sushi restaurants.

He said it was easy for GHB users to overdose because it is usually consumed with alcohol, which also depresses the central nervous system.

A Royal Melbourne Hospital spokeswoman said GHB overdoses were commonplace there.

A spokesman from The Alfred said the hospital typically saw four to five GHB overdoses every week but had not noticed any recent spike.

The warning comes ahead of Saturday's Stereosonic music festival in Melbourne.

Last year's festival saw seizures of cocaine, ice, ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis along with the arrest of 90 people for drug-related offences.

Police have warned the expected 45,000 revellers that they will be met at the gates by drug sniffer dogs.